Location: Anywhere with big sand dunes. We recommend Lake Wainamu, Bethells Beach
 
Requirements: Tape measure and no fear
 
Challenge: Longest jump off the top of a sand dune.
 
Details: Find the big steep sand dunes by Lake Wainamu. The challenge is simple - run and jump off the top of the dune. Measure the distance from the take off footprint (toe) to the closest mark in the sand made by the jumping person (ie: same rules as long jump).
 
GOOT Records:
 
Male:
1. Jamie Banhidi (NZ) 12.60 metres
2. Nicholas Marr (NZ) 12.10 metres
3= Matt Casserly (BU) 11.50 metres
3= Daniel Ahern (NZ) 11.50 metres
5. Paul Thomas (NZ) 11.3 metres
6. Eric David (BU) 11.25 metres
7. Jack Fernbacher (NZ) 11.1 metres
8= Jack Emson (NZ) 11.00 metres
8= George Clark (NZ) 11.00 metres
10. Jonathan Wilson (India) 10.9 metres
11. Marc Van Kerckhof (NZ) 10.8 metres
12. Josh Morton (NZ) 10.7 metres
13. Adam Fischer (BU) 10.50 metres
14. Ben Boyce (NZ) 10.45 metres
15. Thomas Morrison (NZ) 10.4 metres
16. Bearnard Bridges (NZ) 10.30 metres
17. Gareth Moore (NZ) 10.2 metres
18= Steve Watts (BU) 10.1 metres
18= Reuben Wilkenson (NZ) 10.1 metres

Female:
1. Shakira Camp (Samoa) 9.2 metres
2. Susan Green (BU) 8.70 metres
3. Lydia O'Donnell (NZ) 8.20 metres

Comments:
"The numbers keep getting bigger - can anybody break 13 metres!!!!" (Joe - GOOT).

 
Location: Blue Lake, Rotorua
 
Requirements: Stop watch and energy
 
Challenge: Fastest time running around the lake.
 
Details: On the beach in front of the Blue Lake Holiday Park you will find concrete pipes running across the beach - choose one of these to be the start finish line. From here run down the beach and follow the track around the lake (clockwise) back to the starting point. The track is approximately 5.5 kilometres long. Note: there are a few tracks but the key is to keep the lake on your right. Easier said than done - check out the records below.

GOOT Records:

Male 5.5
1. Max Metcalfe (BU) 22.32
2. Joe Fagan (GOOT) 24:10
3. Steve Watts (BU) 26:15
4. Mike Younis (BU) 27:40
5. Matt Casserly (BU) 28:15
6. Aaron Rosenburg (BU) 29:32
7. Joe Forbes (BU) 31:17 
8. Zach Mueller (BU) 32:37 
9. Matt Monarch (BU) 34:08

Female 5.5
1. Sonja Moik (BU) 30:29
2. Michelle Romano (BU) 32:30
3. Lina Batarags (BU) 34:18
4. Nicole Yu (BU) 38:20
5= Maya Viner (BU) 38:50
5= Kara Ruggiero (BU) 38:50
5= Meredith Pollard (BU) 38:50

Female 11.0 (2 laps)
1. Meredith Pollard (BU) 1h15:28
  
Comments: "Make sure your iPod is charged. Good music will distract you from all the ups and ups on the lake track. Don't get too hammered the night before either. Also note: the little paths that lead to the lake may look like they connect to a track right on the beach, but they don't. Stay in the bush!" Michelle Romano (BU)

Most time spent running 5.5 km!

1. Annie Mackin & Amanda Cermack (BU) 1 hour 39 minutes

Comments: "Remember that part about keeping Blue Lake on the right. These two didn't and managed to find Green Lake as well." (Joe - GOOT)
 

 
Location: Blue Lake, Rotorua
 
Requirements: Stop watch and a kayak
 
Challenge: Fastest time to kayak across the lake, and back.
 
Details: Carry your kayak down to the beach in front of the Blue Lake Holiday Park. Sit in kayak, with part of it still on the beach (suggestion: it is easier if this is the rear part). Start the stopwatch and go. Paddle across the lake (keeping left of the orange buoys at all time) to the beach on the opposite side. At this beach you must get out of your kayak and run around the sign (you will see it) before jumping back in the kayak and paddling back. The stopwatch stops when you boat hits the beach.

Note: The halfway sign fell over recently so now you need to run around the black rock closer to the right-hand side of the beach. 

GOOT Record:
   
Male:
1= Steve Watts (BU) 28:25 minutes
1= Jacob Sherry (BU) 28:25
3. Max Orleans (BU) 28.47
4. Kevin Martin (BU) 29:31*
5. Joe Forbes (BU) 30:38
6. Max Metcalfe (BU) 30:43
7. Scott Steber (BU) 30:58
8. Greg Becker (BU) 31:26
9. Zach Mueller (BU) 31:58
10. Mike Goldsmith (BU) 32:54**

Female:
1. Kath Watzig (GOOT) 29:11
2. Chrissie Peterson (BU) 31:50
3. Nicole Yu (BU) 35:08
4. Lina Batarags (BU) 36:32

* Despite falling out of his kayak on his first attempt, losing his glasses and forgetting his hat.
** Mike was slightly hampered when his kayak filled up with water on the return journey.

 
Location: Blue Lake, Rotorua
 
Requirements: See associated challenges.
 
Challenge: An epic challenge to complete three of GOOT's favourite challenges in the fastest time. Just to complete this challenge is a notable effort.  
 
Details: Complete the Blue Lake 5.5, the Blue Lake Splash and the BIG Kahuna Sandwich challenge in the fastest time possible. You will be disqualified if you throw up during the event.

GOOT Record:
   
1. Lina Batarags (BU) 1n48:48
2. Aaron Rosenburg (BU) 1h51:10
3. Nicole Yu (BU) 1h52:04
4. Zach Mueller (BU) 2h07:30

Disqualified Max Metcalfe

Lina and Nicole are legends - they are the first ever girls to complete this challenge and check out their times!!

Lina's spilt times for anyone who wants to try and break her record were: Run 34:18, Kayak 36:32, Sandwich 37:58.

 
Location: Blue Lake, Rotorua
 
Requirements: Stop watch and swimming atire.
 
Challenge: Fastest time to swim out to the pontoon and back.
 
Details: This one is simple - start with your hand touching one of the trees down by the beach, then run down the beach and into the water. Swim out to the pontoon, climb up the ladder and dive off the opposite side. Then get back to the tree as fast as you can.

GOOT Record:
   
Male:

Female:
1. Andi Skaalrud (BU) 1 min 39 secs

 
Location: The Bay of Islands
 
Requirements: A boat, fishing gear and honesty.
 
Challenge: To catch as many fish as possible.
 
Details: The easiest way to attempt this challenge is to go out on one of the hire fishing boat charters (book through Sportfish NZ) available in the Bay. You just need to keep track of the number of fish caught, the number of keepers (how many fish were big enough to keep) and the number of hours you fished. Send us this information with the names of the people fishing in your boat and we will use our complicated formula to work out who is the best at catching fish in the Bay.
 
GOOT Record:
A new record has just been set for this one. Steven, Alex, Rick, Joey and their skipper Leon caught an amazing 71 fish (red snapper) in 5 hours in the Bay of Islands (in April 2011).

Apparently once Leon put them in a hot spot catching fish was easier than tying ones shoe laces.

Good luck betting that record. Around 55 of the fish were keepers.

 
Location: Fordes Bar, Auckland
 
Requirements: Thomas Forde
 
Challenge: To beat Thomas Forde is a sprint running race.
 
Details: Go down to Fordes bar, introduce yourself to the proprietor Thomas Forde and challenge him to a sprint running race. He will arrange a time (which maybe immediately) and then take you down to Beach Rd for the race. Simple. The only catch as we have never seen anybody beat him (until 2009).
 
GOOT Record:
The first and only person to beat Thomas Forde is Ben Scharafin from Frontiers Abroad (1st July 2009). Darren Gravley, who was at the finish line, summed the race up nicely;

"Thomas tried some tricks but Ben was just a little too quick!"

Can anybody else beat Thoams Forde?
 

 
Location: Close to Karekare Beach, Auckland
 
Requirements: Shoes & clothes that you don't mind getting wet and a stop watch.
 
Challenge: To run a loop track through the Waitakere ranges that includes climbing up waterfalls and generally getting wet.
  
Details: Check out the description of the Pararaha walk under the Piha & Karekare one day trip on this website. The run/adventure starts at the car park on Lone Kauri Road (use the sign by the entrance to the track as the start finish point). Then follow Buck Taylor Track up and down to the boardwalk over the wetlands. Follow the boardwalk around to the left and up the Pararaha Valley Track. At the Pararaha campsite follow the track down to the stream and turn right upstream. From here you can either follow the stream or the indistinct track beside the stream upwards and onwards. At the Odlins campsite follow the Odlins Timber Track (left) which climbs steeply back up to the carpark and the finishing sign. You may want to walk this route first before attempting to run it. Be warned you cannot run this entire route - it is rough and wet.
 
GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Joe Fagan (GOOT) 45 mins 19 seconds (splits: boardwalk junction of Buck Taylor and Pararaha Valley track 13:03, bottom of steps when leaving stream 39:35)
2. Shane Pienaar (NZ) 1h03.16
3. Hiroki Ogawa (JAP) 1h09:53 (splits: boardwalk junction of Buck Taylor and Pararaha Valley track 18:36, bottom of steps when leaving stream 1h02:40)
4. BOB (GOOT) 1h13:13 (splits: boardwalk junction of Buck Taylor and Pararaha Valley track 18:03, bottom of steps when leaving stream 1h06:26)

Female:
1. No Record 00:00

BOB is GOOT's version of the STIG from Top Gear. He is often the first one to try our challenges and set an initial time. BOB does not normally say much but here is what he had to say about the Pararaha Punisher.

"I have walked this route many times before but of course the day I decided to run it happened to follow a massive storm. Things were pretty different as the usually clear river was big and brown. It was awesome. There were waterfalls everywhere and at times you were just climbing up through white water. All hopes of a fast time disappeared but that was one mad experience."

"I too have been in the Pararaha valley following rain and it is a very different but fanatstic experience. So if you are brave, confident and want a real epic jungle river trip then go there following a storm. Don't go there during the storm because this river can change dramatically and you will be amazed just how big it gets. Plus we would prefer if you came back! The fast times you see above were set during dry conditions." Joe (GOOT)

If you do want to make things more interesting you can also do this trip at night. It makes for a GOOT night (sorry). We would recommend you do as a team for safety reasons. Hiroki has already rescued seven people from here at night!

GOOT Record:

Team:
1. Meredith, Tom, Christy, Max, Liz, Steve, Hiroki and Joe (BU & GOOT) 2h41mins

A night time trip makes the Pararaha pretty exciting and often creates its own records. Liz Owen now holds the record for the longest "cliff-slide". It was big, elegant and graceful and ended up with Liz swimming. We only laughed when we realised she was okay.

 
Location: Puketi Forest, Northland
 
Requirements: A mountain bike and shoes & clothes that you don't mind getting wet. Plus a stop watch.
 
Challenge: To ride and run a loop through and around the Puketi Forest.
  
Details: Drive to the Forest Pools entrance to the Puketi Forest (near Kerikeri in Northland). Park your car at the end of the road (there is a camping ground here too). Get your bike ready, start your stop watch and go. Ride back down Forest Road to the State Highway and turn left. Take the next left into Puketi Road and start climbing the BIG hill. Turn left at the next intersection and follow the signs to the Puketi Recreation Area. Turn left again into the access road (this section is about 19km in total). Stash (hide and lock) your bike near the camping ground and start running. Follow the Waipapa River Track (Upper). Go past the Onekura track junction and make your way to the campsite. Just after the campsite the track crosses a stream (this next section is 8 km long). Run/hike down the stream until you get to the Waipapa River. This is where it gets interesting - you now need to follow the river back to your car. This involves wading, swimming and crashing your way downstream (this section is 12 km long but is hard core). Stop the clock when you get back to the car park and complete the loop (ie: car to car). This is a real adventure and could take some people a LONG time. Be prepared - take a map, food, water and warm clothes. You will get wet. Good luck - this one will live up to its name. THIS IS A HARD CORE TRIP AND SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED BY PEOPLE WITH LOTS OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE AND THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.

GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Max, Greg and Joe 6 hours 50.04 minutes
(splits: bike 1:09.40 (transition: 8:30), Run 1:28.42 (transition: 7:12), River Run/Swim 3:56.00).

Female:
1. No Record 00:00

 
Location: Auckland Domain
 
Requirements: Running attire and a stop watch.
 
Challenge: To run the fastest time around a loop track in the Auckland Domain.
 
Details: This one is simple. You need to run around the loop track described below. Choose one of the boulders at the Eastern corner of the Domain on Stanley Street as the start/finish line (between the ASB Tennis Centre and the Auckland Bowling Club. From your chosen boulder run along the grass and then turn right up Lower Domain Drive (cross road). Head up the road until you see a chained off track on your left, go through here and turn immediately right onto Domain Walk 1. This track briefly becomes Bledisloe Walk before continuing as Domain Walk 2. Emerge out of the bush, cross Domain Drive, cross through the circle path area, cross Maunsell Road and head left of the entrance to the Museum car park. Run across the flat area away from the Museum and staying on the grass you will pick up a faint track. This crosses a small access road and then becomes more obvious as it runs between Football Road on your right and George Street on your left. Follow the track down to the corner and then take Grandstand Road South towards the small grandstand. Run through the grandstand, picking up Grandstand Road North until it meets Kiosk Road and Domain Drive. Follow the path on the right hand side of Domain Drive, past the duckponds, and then cross over to the other side of the road just before Lovers Lane Road. Pick up the Lovers Walk track and follow in down through the bush. Stay on the Lovers Walk track proper (there are lots of deviations off it) until you emerge onto Lower Domain Drive. You are allowed to take the track over the bridge (halfway down) if you think it is faster. At the bottom of Lovers Walk turn left and run down the hill. You will see the start/finish boulders on your left.
 
GOOT Record:
   
Male:
1. BOB (GOOT) 17:41 minutes

Female:
1. Sonja Moik (BU) 19.23 minutes
 

 
Location: Central Plateau, North Island
 
Requirements: 24 hours, a car, good weather, headlamps and a little bit of energy.
 
Challenge: To get to the top of the four summits (Taranaki, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro) within 24 hours.
 
Details: This is not a new challenge and has actually become quite well known in NZ (some have even attempted it in winter). There are lots of different rules, some of them very tough (only allowing one vehicle transfer between North Egmont and Whakapapa) and others much more relaxed. We like the idea of a car to car challenge (as it creates an easily definable start/finish point) so here are our rules. You can use your car as many times as you like but you cannot exceed the speed limit. Your time starts when you first leave the car and ends when you return to the car after the fourth and final peak. You can climb the mountains in any order and you can start at any time of day or night. You must record a photograph of yourself/team at the summit of each mountain.
 
Notes: The highest point on three of the four summits is pretty obvious. On Ruapehu the highest point is Tahurangi summit (2797m), however in the interests of safety the highest point for this challenge is deemed to be Dome summit. And yes you are allowed to use the chairlift at Whakapapa. The purists won't like this but we want to make this an achievable challenge. Do it without the chairlift and we will give you extra kudous. Check out www.peakbagging.co.nz for more detailed information as all of these mountains are dangerous and as such this is a very serious challenge. Do not attempt this challenge in winter unless you are prepared and experienced in snow/ice conditions. Get a weather forecast before you go, tell somebody your plans and take care out there.
 
GOOT Record:
   
1. Hiroki Ogawa (JAP) and Joe Fagan (GOOT) 22 hrs, 20 min.

Location: Various locations in the North Island.
 
Requirements: A desire to climb BIG hills
 
Challenge: To climb the 10 highest (accessible) peaks in the North Island. 
 
Details: This challenge is an extension of the Four Peaks in 24 hours challenge. It is really pretty simple and involves climbing to the top of as many of the 10 highest peaks as you can. The offical list of the "Top Ten Summits" in the North Island is:

1. Ruapehu 2672m Tongariro NP
2. Taranaki 2518m Mt Egmont NP
3. Ngauruhoe 2287m Tongariro NP
4. Tongariro 1967m Tongariro NP
5. Fantham's Peak 1962m Mt Egmont NP
6. Hikurangi 1752m Bay of Plenty
7. Mangaweka 1731m Ruahines
8. Kaweka J 1724m Kawekas
9. Umukarikari 1591m Kaimanawas
10. Mitre 1571m Wellington

GOOT Record:
   
Male:

Female:

 
Location: Undisclosed, Auckland
 
Requirements: Energy and a sense of humour
 
Challenge: To beat the "Fire Rabbit" in a tricycle race
 
Details: The world record holding Japanese tricyclist, the legenday "Fire Rabbit", awaits potential challenges to his crown. You have the option to compete in two events around our local GOOT race track; the fire sprint or the inferno enduro. Want some bragging rights for the pub? This is the challenge for you.

This is one challenge that will suit smaller people.

GOOT Record:

Fire Sprint (one lap)

Male:

1. Hiroki Ogawa (JAP) 27.15 seconds
2. Lyndsay McCord (NZ) 28.85 seconds
3. Joe Fagan (GOOT) 29.57 seconds
4. David Bade (NZ) 30.25 seconds
5. Stephen FitzHerbert (NZ) 31.94 seconds
6. Claas Dankem (GER) 42.06 seconds
7. Fraser Morgan (NZ) 44.12 seconds
8. Alex Andrews (USA) 44.53 seconds 

Female:

1. Grace Andrews (BU) 32.59 seconds
2. Claire Gregory (NZ) 43.25 seconds
3. Jaimie Collum (BU) 49.97 seconds
4. Julia Kester (BU) 50.56 seconds

Three person relay
1. Ogawa, Fagan & FitzHerbert (JAP/NZ) 1m 42.28 seconds

Inferno Enduro (one lap of the looooong track)
1. Hiroki Ogawa (JAP) 2m19.19 seconds
2. Joe Fagan (GOOT) 3m11.78 seconds
3. Stephen FitzHerbert (NZ) 3m11.81 seconds

 
Location: Auckland
 
Requirements: A few hours and some energy to burn
 
Challenge: To summit as many volcanoes in Auckland as you can in two hours without using a car.
 
Details: Using only bikes, buses, ferries, kayaks and your own legs competitors must summit as many of Auckland's volcanic cones as they can in one 2 hour period. No cars are allowed. The challenge starts from the summit of any of the eligible volcanoes (that is one done already).
The official GOOT list of eligible summits is as follows:
 

• Rangitoto
• Browns Island
• Mt Victoria
• North Head
• Mt Eden
• Mt Hobson
• Mt St John
• Mt Albert
• Three Kings
• Mt Roskill
• One Tree Hill
• Mt Wellington
• Mt Richmond
• Mt Mangere
• Puketutu
• Taylor Hill
• Pigeon Mountain
   

Also volcanic in origin but with less obvious summits are: Albert Park (use the fountain) and the Auckland Domain (use the band rotunda). Those without summits at all include: Lake Pupuke, Orakei Basin and Panmure Basin (touch the water).
  
GOOT Record:
 
Male:
1. Steven Richards (USA) 3 volcanoes in 2 hours (Mt. Hobson, Mt. Saint John and Mt. Eden). 

Female:
1. No Record

Location: Anywhere with space

Requirements: A swiss exercise ball

Challenge: To play solo hacky sack with a swiss ball.
 
Details: Using only your feet, knees, chest, shoulders and head (ie: no hands) juggle the swiss ball just like you would a soccer ball or hacky sack. Count the number of times you touch the ball before it touches the ground. Start by throwing the ball into the air.

GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Stephen FitzHerbert (NZ) 3 times
Female:
1. Jennifer Charlet (FRA) 5 times

Location:Liverpool Street, Auckland (just up from AUT and the University of Auckland).

Requirements: A stop watch and a bike. Preferably one with gears.

Challenge: To ride a bike up a short part of Liverpool Street.

Details: This one sounds easy but wait until you see Liverpool Street. It is super steep! Start at the bottom of the hill. Find the square man hole cover (labelled Tangent) on the road beside the Turner Street sign. With your front wheel on this manhole take a few deep breaths and then pedal straight up the hill. Liverpool Street is a one way street and you will be going the wrong way, hence we recommend you hug the right hand side where everyone can see you. The up hill sprint finishes when your front wheel (presuming you are still going forwards) crosses the line indicated by a change in tarseal just before the corner of Liverpol Street and City Road. Good luck with this one.

Note: because this is a one way road we recommend that you attempt this challenge either late at night or in the early hours.

GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Hiroki Ogawa (Jap) 37.59 seconds
Female:
1. No Record

Location: Anywhere outside on the grass or beach.

Requirements: One ladder.

Challenge: To climb as high as you can on a ladder. This sport is officially known as laddering.

Details: This one also sounds simple but the catch is that you are not allowed to lean the ladder against anything. Simple place the ladder on the ground and start climbing it. Count the number of rungs that your feet go up and abandon the ladder when it seems appropriate.

GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Joe Fagan 6 rungs* (GOOT)
Female:
1. No record

*on a 6 rung homemade ladder in Rarotonga.

This is a great crazy way to spend an afternoon. Please make sure that the owner of the ladder has given their approval before you begin as this challenge is not ladder friendly. Any type of ladder will do as long as it is strong.

Malcolm ONeill, who introduced us to this lunatic sport, once got his hand one rung from the top of an extension ladder in the surf at Kai Iwi Beach. Phew!! Joe (GOOT) has very briefly stood with both feet on top of a normal ladder (half an extension) before disappearing into the rarified air. The record he holds above is since this challenge was started.

Location: Kate's House, Sumner, Christchurch
 
Requirements: Any ingredients you deem required to make a good batch of date scones (aka 'Biscuits' for you North American folk), however, see below for restrictions.
Baking tray, bowl & oven supplied.  
 
Challenge: To bake a better date scone than our Southern GOOT Girl Kate.
 
Details: This challenge involves baking a batch of scones, in under 15 minutes, competing with Kate. You may use only those ingredients listed under the 'Scones' section of the Edmonds 'Sure to rise' Cookbook (found in any good bookstore and listed below). No fancy stuff allowed. Quantities and method, however, are up to the individual baker. You will have 10 minutes to prepare, though no mixing is allowed at this stage, set-up, date chopping etc. only. Bench space allocated to each baker is approximately 58 cm x 100cm. The oven will be set at 220 Degrees C. as per Edmonds 'Sure to Rise' guidelines.    A coin will be flipped to determine who gets which shelf in the oven.

Ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, butter, milk and dates!

Kate's flatmate Alister is official Judge of the completed product. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. Any left over scones may go home with the competitor or eaten on Kates deck with a cup of tea. As a local Kate is full of ideas about the where to go and what to do in the South Island so this is a great opportunity to pick her brain.

Contact Kate to arrange a bake off on 03-3267535 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

GOOT Record:

 
Location: Sumner Beach, Christchurch
 
Requirements:A stopwatch and good calves
 
Challenge: To sprint from the rock stack at the North-Western end of Sumner beach to Cave rock at the other end
 
Details: Starting at the small rock stack at the North-Western end of Sumner beach, run as fast as you can to the rocks at the other end. The rock touched at the end (i.e. when you can stop the watch) must be the large one with the cross on top.

Note: Sometimes, at high tide, the rock stack can be surrounded by water therefore you probably want to check the tide before you do this one (or you will be in for a really slow time).

GOOT Record:

Male:

Female:
 

 
Location: Christchurch Central City, or any other central location arranged between competitor and their opponent.
 
Requirements: Three eggs, (it is up to you whether you want to boil them first) & some sort of juggling ability.
 
Challenge:To out-juggle Chris Devious, professional street performer.    
 
Details: Arrange a time and place to meet Chris. (email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). On the word 'go' start juggling your three eggs. Whoever lasts the longest juggling is the winner.

Note: Chris usually juggles chain-saws and eats fire so if eggs are too tame for you feel free to challenge him to one of these.

GOOT Record:

 
Location: The Bridle Path Track, Port Hills, Christchurch.
(Park your car just below the Gondola or catch the 'No. 28 Lyttelton' bus and get out at the Gondola)
 
Requirements: Stopwatch, Solid shoes & ample energy
 
Challenge: Fastest time up the Bridle Path Track.
 
Details: Start the stopwatch from the sign at the start of the track and run/walk up the track. Stop the stopwatch when you touch the pioneer women monument at the top of the track.
This is a steep track, but competitors are rewarded with amazing views of Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula.(Interesting note: This track was the only way over to Christchurch from Lyttelton Port where the early settler ships came in - what a way to get to your new home!)  

GOOT Record:

Male:

Female: Kate (GOOT) 20 min, 36seconds

Location: Baldwin Street, Dunedin.

Requirements: A stop watch and a bike.

Challenge:To ride a bike up Baldwin Street.

Details:Once again a not so easy cycling challenge. This one is to ride your bike up NZs steepest street - the mighty Baldwin Street. Start at the bottom of the hill. Find the drain cover which is situated 20m back from the concrete road surface - it is very obvious as it is in the middle of the road and its the only one there. This drain cover is the start line and you should start this challenge with your front wheel on the drain cover. Now there is one more dimension to this challenge - if you are hard enough then apply the "no granny gears are allowed" rule. This means that you cannot use your lowest gears. Once you are ready you simply (he he) need to ride up the hill as fast as you can. The up hill effort finishes when you reach the obvious flat section at the top of the hill. As Baldwin Street is famous there are always a few tourists around so it is likely you will get your photo taken attempting this one. GOOT luck climbing NZs steepest street.

Note: Baldwin Street is frickin steep and so you better have brakes that work for the descent. Otherwise please walk your bike back down.

Remember: no granny gears if you think you are hard enough! 

GOOT Record:

Male:
1. Derek Auchinvole (NZ) 1 min 33 seconds (in 4th gear)
Female:
1. No Record

Location: Homer Tunnel, Milford, Fiordland.

Requirements: Comfy running shoes & a bag to put your clothes in, clearly labelled with your name.

Challenge: To do the fastest time running through the Homer Tunnel.

Details: This is an annual event sponsored by Rossco's Kayaks of Milford Sound. The event occurs once a year on April 1st. The race starts at the top of the tunnel at around 10pm.

This is a nude tunnel run and a key event on the Milford community calendar. Your clothes can be transported to the finishing end of the tunnel. A headtorch is suggested. No perves allowed.

See/contact http://www.roscosmilfordkayaks.com/ for specific details and entry. (These guys also operate amazing kayaking trips around Milford Sound if you'd prefer this option to the boat cruise).

NB: Rossco's get special permission to operate this event, running through the tunnel is otherwise illegal - bummer.

Location: In National Parks throughout NZ.
 
Requirements: Time.
 
Challenge: To stay in as many DOC huts as you can.
 
Details: There are over 800 DOC huts in NZ ranging from big 80 bed numbers to small 2 bed shelters or even rock bivies. If you are a keen hiker then you a bound to spend a night in a DOC tramping hut. How many different ones can you stay in while you are in NZ? 5? 10?

Joe (GOOT) set another record when he stayed in 30 DOC huts in 30 days. Can you beat that?

GOOT Record:

Male:

Female:

Location: Anywhere.
 
Requirements: A healthy appetite.
 
Challenge: To eat a KAHUNA Sandwich in the fastest time possible.
 
Details: A KAHUNA sandwich is made up of the following: one loaf of bread (uncut and hollowed out), three pies (normally meat but vegetarian is fine), and sauce of your choice (normally tomato). Hollow out the bread (serious competitors will eat this as well) and then put the three pies and the sauce inside. Push it all together and you have a KAHUNA sandwich. Now get somebody to time how long it takes you to eat the sandwich. The time finishes when you have eaten everything and your mouth is completely empty ie: tongue out. Good luck - this is a hard one and some people will not be able to complete it.

GOOT Record:

Male:

1. Cole Greene (BU) 24 mins 44 sec
2. Kahu (NZ) 30 mins 50 secs*
3. Sam Kelly (BU) 38 mins 17 secs**
4. Aaron Rosenburg (BU) 45 mins 17 secs

* He invented it.
** Sam will always be the original - the first person to do it and the pies he used were really BIG!

Female:

1. Lina Batarags (BU) 37 mins 58 secs
2. Nicole Yu (BU) 38 mins 14 secs